Puerto Madryn, Argentina

Situated snugly in a well-protected bay of the Golfo Nuevo, Puerto Madryn is the Chubut Province’s natural access point for the plains of Patagonia. This vast area covers one-third of the country but is occupied by less than four percent of the population. The major draw is the proximity to such important wildlife reserves as Punta Tombo and the Peninsula Valdés. Scores of visitors endure long drives to visit these amazing nature reserves for Magellanic penguins, elephant seals, sea lions and whales.